Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families and carers has a role to play in safeguarding children. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all professionals should make sure their approach is child-centred. This means that they should consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child.

Definition of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children (Keeping Children Safe in Education):

• Providing help and support to meet the needs of children as soon as problems emerge.
• Protecting children from maltreatment.
• Preventing the impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development.
• Ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care.
• Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.

Safeguarding at the Latymer School

One of the most important aspects of our work as a school is safeguarding. The Latymer School works closely with children and families, together with statutory agencies, to keep our students as safe as we possibly can. We are committed to providing a secure environment where children can learn, play, develop and achieve. The school has a culture of openness and all students, staff and visitors are encouraged to speak up if they have any concerns regarding safeguarding.

The school ensures that all staff are sensitive to issues of race, culture, gender, disability and diversity. However, we recognise that these issues should never be a barrier to reporting concerns about children. All staff, including teaching and non-teaching staff, temporary and supply staff, clerical and domestic staff, volunteers and staff working on site employed by other services and agencies, and those working with children and families in the community, have a moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Staff must be aware of and fully conversant with our Safeguarding policy (accessible on Our policies page). Staff should be alert to the possibility of a safeguarding incident occurring and raise their concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, Deputies or the Headteacher.

Our staff code of conduct makes it clear that we expect the highest standards of care and support for all students. We are alert to signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support, protection and justice. Staff receive regular safeguarding training and are aware of the procedures for passing on concerns within the school. The Child Protection Team comprises experienced senior staff, trained to an advanced level in safeguarding. Training provided to staff is updated regularly to keep abreast of any developments in legislation and practice.

Our school works in partnership with the three safeguarding partners:

• Enfield Council
• Metropolitan Police Service
• NHS (including our hospitals and Clinical Commissioning Group).

The Governing Body and the Senior Leadership team, especially the Designated Safeguarding Lead, are aware of and follow the local arrangements set out by the three safeguarding partners.

safeguarding CONCERNS

If you have a safeguarding concern, or would like to speak to a member of the Safeguarding Team, please email the school using the following email address: safeguarding@latymer.co.uk; 0208 807 4037.

Whisper App

All students are encouraged to speak to staff or peers if they have concerns, but in cases where an individual does not feel confident in doing so, the school’s WhisperApp allows them to anonymously report inappropriate behaviour. Using any school computer or laptop, students are able to access the app, submit their concern, and receive advice from a member of staff through the chat function. Since its launch, the WhisperApp has been well received by students and has been successfully used on a few occasions to highlight issues.

reporting a concern outside school hours and during holidays

If you or your child have a concern after school hours, on the weekend or during the holidays, it is extremely important that you seek the appropriate help in an emergency.

Whilst we aim to support our students in dealing with any issues, or concerns, that you may have, please be aware that staff are not required to check their school emails during evenings, weekends, and holidays, and will not be available to provide support during these times.

Trying to contact teachers out of hours and during school holidays will only delay you or others getting the urgent support that is needed. Students are able to contact any of the organisations on the ‘Useful Numbers’ and ‘Information Websites’ page of the planner list for emotional wellbeing and mental health support.

• If you think that you are in danger and need urgent support, you should phone 999.
• If you think that a friend is in danger, you should also phone 999.
• Alternatively, you can inform your parent/carers, or the parents/carers of the friend.
• Students and/or parent cares can make the contact with the police or the local authority in which you live (MASH - Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub).

Safeguarding within enfield

CHiPS is a community help point scheme run within the Borough of Enfield. It is a network of 'safe havens', where young and vulnerable people who are lost, at risk or feeling vulnerable can go in and ask for help and assistance from the community. There are around 200 CHiPS points in the borough, including the Latymer School. 

Useful websites